Heroin deaths down, fentanyl deaths rising in San Diego County

The County’s 2018 Prescription Drug Abuse Report Card showed that local prescription drug deaths have set a new record.

Deaths due to heroin have dropped, but fentanyl deaths have skyrocketed. The latest report shows 273 San Diegans died from prescription drugs last year, an 8% increase from 2016 when 253 fatalities were reported. The previous record was set in 2012, when 268 prescription drug deaths occurred.

Patrick Foley from the McAlister Institute joined KUSI’s Sandra Maas on this weeks Healthy Living to discuss the study, prescription addiction and it’s progression, the importance of prevention and provide prevention strategies, she can provide expert advice on how to move people from addiction to recovery, and also discuss McAlister’s programs.